When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned

Finding peace when God changes your plans

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6

Like many of us, I had plans for my life. As a child, I dreamed of becoming an actor, a missionary, and later a writer. God allowed me to experience parts of each of those dreams, but not in the way I expected.

Over the last several years, I have grown significantly in my relationship with Christ. Through that growth, God has revealed several things about my heart, but today I want to share one of them.

When I look back on many experiences in my life (good and bad), I realized an important detail about myself.

I like to run ahead of God because I’m passionate and fighting past tendencies to “do for God”.

Because of a lack of discernment, contentment, and trust in my Heavenly Father, I rushed into plans God may not have intended for that season—or perhaps they were never meant to be mine at all.

Many times my passion/legalism would think I knew better than God, and I would jump into something seemingly innocent and religious headfirst and then pray for God to bless it afterward.

My heart aches with all this new information I have about the type of person I am and all the things I did “for God” and “in his name” that may not have been what He had planned for me. It also aches because I see all the grace He has given me throughout the years. It’s too much to count.

God has been reshaping every area of my life. Throughout the years, I have taken advice and wisdom from many different Christians, and while that is not inherently a bad thing, I was getting whiplash from all the advice and sources. Last week, I had finally had enough and was in a place where the only voice I wanted to hear from was God’s.

Can you relate?

While being in a season of heartbreak and feeling directionless, I have a sincere peace that I can only explain as fully surrendering to Christ what I had planned for my life.

This wasn’t an easy progression. I went through depression, months of God preparing me, and hearing hard truths from sources I wasn’t expecting it from to get to this peaceful state I am currently in.

My family is having to learn a new normal now, and it hasn’t been easy, but it has drawn my husband and me closer to each other and to God. It’s also reminded me of what truly matters: God, family, and friends.

I have since repented and have scaled back on what I choose to do with my time and efforts.

I am learning to be patient and wait on God’s timing and also how to enjoy the journey.

Through this process of laying down my will to take up Christ’s, I am learning:

• I was too busy doing things for God that I was missing valuable chances to connect with Him relationally.

• My family wasn’t getting the best part of me.

• I became jealous of other creatives doing better than I was, rather than rejoicing in God’s word getting out there.

• Underneath that jealousy was people-pleasing. I stayed in things longer than I should have because I felt pressure to perform rather than faithfully obey.

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Before this family trauma happened, I had a new direction I was going to take the ministry; I was convinced it was what God wanted, and I was thrilled about it, ready to tell everyone.

After tragedy struck, I was reminded I wasn’t in control, and that led me to lay down my pride, my will, and finally surrender to God.

Now that I am seeking His direction instead of my own, I have a peace that surpasses all understanding in moving only where He leads me. I am learning to enjoy life in its slower pace and uncertainty.

We aren’t promised tomorrow, so why do we act like we control the outcome?

I don’t want to move until He moves me.

This is where my heart is now, and I hope yours is there too. If not, I have a few questions for you:

What part of your plans are you holding onto with a death grip?

What is keeping you from surrendering that to God?

If you struggle to let go of your ideas for your life, I get it; I was there too. It’s not easy to trust Him, especially if you have had trouble trusting humans. Let’s remember, God is not your earthly father.

He won’t fail you. He can’t fail you.

It’s time to let it go and allow God to take control. He knows everything from the beginning to the end, so He already knows all the anxieties you have about your future; He’s already been working to bring good from your past, and He is holding your hand right now through your present struggle.

Here’s a prayer posture that has helped me lay down my own will:

Repent.

Thank Him for all the times He has been faithful.

Ask Him to help you learn to surrender all.

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If this has blessed you today, I would love to hear from you.

If you need someone to pray with you, I’d be honored to pray alongside you.